Day Booking It. Success

(Can I first say that I debating about putting up this post? I think it is a worthwhile topic, but I know from reading a few pages from Predictably Irrational that after reading that book I may have more to say about success. But I think it warrants discussion now, even if I change my views later. I'm glad for the ability to change one's mind. )

Let's talk for a minute about success. At what point do you consider yourself successful? I think for most of us, as people, we equate success with monetary gain and financial stability/status. I think our culture feeds this notion. However, talking lately about Vivian Maier, a unknown photographer who only posthumously has gained notoriety, the question came up about whether being "known" is a requirement for being a successful artist. Some of this depends on your own personal considerations.

I love the dictionary, so in pondering this, I decided to check out what Webster's had to say. Here is what I found:

Under this primary definition (#1), I don't ever want to be successful as an artist. Success in the art world is not terminating attempts. Growth is continual and sought.

Under the secondary (#2), it is more vague. What type of position? What honors? WHAT is the like?

Here are my attempts at making this clear.

Wealth

Money money money, right? Well, prosperity, worth, and substance are all synonyms. If you work has substance, are you successful? Who determines the worth? (you? them? general populace?) And how do you define prosperity? The most important thing about this one, I think, is that we need to debunk our connection to money for success. I think this is the reason SO many people (women especially) jump into having a business with photography before they are ready. They want validation. And the green kind is the only validation of value that they see (maybe?).

Position

If you're in the spot where you see beauty in the every day and desire to document it, I think you've attained a position others covet. You've got the eye. You see beauty.
If you're in the place where you can previsualize and apply the technical to get the result you crave, you're in a good position.
If you're at the level where you can explain things to others, or tell what you admire in a piece by another artist, you're in a good position.
If you're in the place where you want 5 million followers on your blog and 100 comments on everything you ever create because then you'll know that doing art is worth it, I don't covet your position. Just sayin'.

Honors

Do you have any formal education in your field? (do you want it?)
Have you won any awards? (have you tried? do you want to?)
Have you been in any shows? (do you want to?)
Do you honor your work and see its value?

The Like

This seems like a catchall for comparisons. Its synonymous with equivalent. So, reader, what do you consider to be "the like" in your life? At what point do you look around and say to yourself? I like where I am? The view is astounding? The colors are rich, the light is beautiful and I can lose myself in this beautiful place?

Looking at Maier's work changed some things for me. The honors I crave (and oh, how I do crave them. I admit it) are being in gallery shows. I think my work is viewed best PRINTED and framed. It does best with a physical presence, and I want to create things that are worthy of it, worthy of taking up space in this big world that is full of so many things. I'm less stressed out about creating since viewing her work.

See, I played the piano and flute since I was little, like under 10 years old. And I always felt like piano was just for me. I didn't enjoy performing (still don't). But I LOVE the piano. I love to play, I love to learn new things and I love to benefit from listening to the talent of others. So, for me, its not a stretch that someone could be just as happy with art, creating for personal pleasure. Art without strings has the ability to cut through all the anxiety that is created with sharing something so personal. Having personal things in one's art, things that aren't shared (maybe until later or even ever) can be extremely beneficial.